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‘J. Troubs gets 100th “Dub”’

Troublefield reaches 100th career win

Date Published:

February 14, 2014

By Tripp Colonell

Staff Reporter

Coastal Point • R. Chris Clark: Jake Troublefield sets up Sussex Central’s Kevine Nocks during his 100th career win last Wednesday, Feb. 5, at Indian River High School.Few athletes are fortunate enough to accomplish career milestones in front of their home crowds, but on Feb. 5, Indian River High School senior Jake Troublefield notched his 100th career wrestling win and got to do it at IRHS, against Sussex Central.

“The best way I can describe it is bittersweet, because it’s the last time I wrestle in this gym,” Troublefield explained of the feeling of accomplishing his longtime goal in front of the people who have been there to witness it all. “All my friends and students came out to watch me, my family came down — my dad was really proud of me. I can’t explain it. I’m speechless. It’s amazing.”

“It’s great for Jake. He’s worked hard,” said head coach Jeff Windish. “He did things the right way, and when you do that, things are going to pay off for you. I’m proud of him, and I’m happy for him. That’s an accomplishment — not many people get that.”

IR students and fans packed the stands, while former teammates including Marquel Knight made the trip from college, and some students even made T-shirts with slogans such as “J.Troubs, 100 Dubs” — all in support of Troublefield’s impending milestone.

“I’ve been wrestling in this gym since I was a freshman,” Troublefield continued. “I love it. It’s always a good crowd. The fans are amazing. Indian River’s a great school. I love going here.”

After Troublefield pinned Sussex Central senior Kevine Nocks in 3:18, the crowd jumped to their feet as his achievement was announced over the loud speaker.

“I respect everything [Nocks] did on the mat tonight,” he said of his opponent after the match. “He was a good sport about it, and I really appreciate that.”

After the announcement was made, Troublefield was greeted by his teammates and his coaches, congratulating him on all his hard work.

“I cannot describe how amazing my teammates were,” he described of the support. “They all were off the bench after I got my win. Every single one of them hugged me. It’s awesome they got to experience this with me.”

Even before last Wednesday, Troublefield was confident that he could get to his 100th, with his toughest match coming Jan. 30 against Middletown’s Eric Schnieder — who was ranked third in the state at 182 pounds.

“I knew coming in that it was going to be a tough match,” Troublefield recalled his 97th win. “I knew I couldn’t make any mistakes. That was my toughest match, and after that I knew I just had to keep going. I felt like I couldn’t be stopped. I wanted nothing more than that win.”

While the standout senior’s success on the mats is obvious, he’s also been a role model in the classroom throughout his career at IR.

“He’s done everything the right way,” Windish said of Troublefield’s work ethic. “He works hard in the practice room. He works hard in the off-season. But, more importantly, he’s a hard worker in school.”

“Some of the freshman, like Chris [Esque] and Zeke [Marcozzi], I’m glad they could see this, because it makes them strive to want to do the same thing,” Troublefield noted. “I try to set an example, as well.”

Troblefield recorded his 101st win when the Indians took down Newark on Saturday, Feb. 8. He’ll have a chance to notch a few more wins in the coming weeks, at the Henlopen Conference Championship at Milford on Friday, Feb. 14, and Saturday, Feb. 15, and at state duels at Cape Henlopen the following weekend.

“His goal is a state title,” Windish noted. “I think he’s well within reach of winning his weight class.”

“I’ve got to focus on conferences first,” Troublefield added. “I’ve got to just focus. I want to place at states, and I want to win states. I think I can do it as long as I work hard — I’ve got good coaches and good teammates pushing me every single day.”